New Buildings

In 2014, the ImagineIF Libraries created a Facilities Master Plan.

In most states, the standard for library facility planning is 1 square foot per capita. The average in Montana is .75 sf/capita. Including our Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Marion and Kalispell locations, ImagineIF Libraries have merely 35,963 square feet of library space to serve 79,431 residents, an average of .49 sf/capita. And that’s just with our current population! As our community continues to grow, our already undersized libraries will become more and more crowded.

The communities of Kalispell, Columbia Falls and Bigfork need new and expanded library facilities to adequately meet the present and future demands for library services.

That’s why ImagineIF Libraries and the ImagineIF Library Foundation are pursuing a long-term goal of building new libraries in downtown Kalispell, Bigfork and Columbia Falls.

Our progress toward these goals is linked to projects like the Kalispell Core & Rail Redevelopment Project. As timelines evolve, the Foundation will share plans for a Capital Campaign to make these much needed buildings a reality. In the meantime, you can help by letting our city and county officials know that new library facilities are an urgent priority and a vital part of a healthy community.

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